Facebook Uses Augmented Reality In New Advertisements

AJ Henry | August 28, 2018 at 1:35 PM

Quick Answer

Hollywood Branded explores how Facebook uses augmented reality in new advertisements to help users try items on before purchasing.

Imagine Trying Clothes On Over The Internet

Ahhh, online shopping. Don't we all love it? The ability to sit in the comfort of your own home, or maybe even sneak a few minutes away from work, to look for that new sweater you've been desperately waiting to wear once the weather cools off a bit. This. This is the epitome of lazy consumerism.

No longer are we forced to get out of our pajamas just to grab those sunglasses we need for next week's lake trip with the boys and girls. It can all be done with the touch of a button. But the one thing all online shoppers stress over is this one daunting question... "will this look good on me?!" There's nothing more annoying than ordering a brand new sweater expecting to look like Ryan Gosling in Crazy, Stupid, Love, then having it arrive and realizing you actually look like Tom Hanks in Cast Away. Say no more! Once again, Facebook saves the day. In this blog, Hollywood Branded explores how Facebook uses augmented reality in new advertisements to help users try items on before purchasing.

Facebook augmented reality advertisements

Augmented Reality

Facebook wants to give users the opportunity to try on products without ever setting foot in a store, or even touching the product. Even better, it wants users to be able to do this all from their mobile screen.

You may be wondering how. How is it possible to try something on without actually touching the product?

Well, the answer is simple... augmented reality advertisements. Augmented reality is a view of the real world supplemented by computer-generated inputs, such as still images, audio, or video. Augmented reality is not to be confused with virtual reality. Instead of creating a world that is different from reality, like virtual reality does, augmented reality adds things to the world we already live in. One of the early examples of augmented reality introduced to the masses was Pokémon Go.

How Does It Work?

Facebook will continue to roll out these branded augmented reality advertisements in its news feed. Certain ads will display a "tap to try on" option, which activates Facebook's camera. From there, users can slide left and right to try on different items.

To start, Facebook has only allowed a few brands to test this new advertising method, one of which is Michael Kors. Michael Kors launched an advertising campaign that lets users try on its different sunglasses before purchasing. Users can try different lenses and colors and even move their heads around to see the glasses from different angles.

Michael Kors sunglasses augmented reality try-on ad on Facebook

At the bottom of the screen, users are presented with a "Shop Now" button that lets them purchase the product and have it delivered to the address of their choice.

Lastly, of course Facebook had to include a social aspect in these new advertisements. Shoppers can share their shopping experience with friends and even create interactive polls to get their friends involved.

So What Does This Mean?

Augmented reality advertisements could change the advertising game. These ads give users a streamlined way to engage with brands in just one click. For example, makeup shoppers can try on that new lipstick without having to actually purchase the product. It's only a matter of time before people never buy things that don't look good on them. Actually, we can't guarantee that. Augmented reality doesn't give you good style ;).

Anyway, this hassle-free ability to try things on helps not only consumers but also brands. Because users can so easily try things on, they're a lot more likely to purchase the product, which ultimately improves a brand's bottom line. And what does a brand marketer love more than delivering more sales? Nothing!

How Can You Get Involved?

Facebook is only rolling out this feature to a select number of brands in its early days. As the feature matures, it will be rolled out to all brands advertising on Facebook. Until then, there are a variety of ways your brand can excite customers into wanting to purchase from you.

In fact, one of the best ways to do this is through pop culture. Pop culture marketing integrates your product, message, or service into the content your audience is already enjoying. It can turn your brand into something cool and highly desired. Who doesn't want to purchase the product their favorite celebrity is using? Here at Hollywood Branded, that's what we do. We turn your brand into one of Hollywood's hottest products.

Our team often writes about celebrity endorsement partnerships with brands, from what other marketers are doing to best practices for celebrity endorsement deals. Check out some of the blogs our team has written on the topic:

And of course... there is influencer marketing too!

Check out these 5 blog posts our team has written.

We have created a very comprehensive course on all things celebrity and influencer partnership, giving you and your team an opportunity to learn from our 20+ years of knowledge. Take a look at the class options by clicking the image below.